Confederate General Robert E. Lee chose to take a defensive position in Sharpsburg in anticipation of the advance of General McClellan's Army of the Potomac. Lee's forces would fight a defensive battle at Antietam. His troop positions formed a four mile arc around the Antietam Valley. The troop alignment gave Lee the advantage of moving his reserves and shifting his troops along interior lines.The distances was far shorter than McClellan would have, especially if he chose to go around the end of one of the arcs. This tactical advantage would help the weakness in his numbers of troops, however, Lee was going to rely on the rapid movements of Stonewall Jackson and the expected poor tactics of McClellan.
Major General George B. McClellan was commanding the Federal Army of the Potomac at the Battle of Antietam.
Antietam
Lincoln was disappointed that General George B. McClellan had allowed Confederate general Lee to escape after the Battle of Antietam. The result of Lincoln's disappointment was the replacement of McClellan by General Burnside.
General Robert E. Lee
George B. McClellan
General Robert E. Lee commanded the Confederate army at the Battle of Antietam, known in the south as the Battle of Sharpsburg.
The commander of the Confederate army at Antietam was General Robert E. Lee.
Major General George B. McClellan.
The Confederate Army was commanded by General Robert E. Lee at the Battle of Antietam.
The commander of the Confederate army at Antietam was General Robert E. Lee.
The Confederate Army was commanded by General Robert E. Lee at the Battle of Antietam.
The commander of the Confederate army at Antietam was General Robert E. Lee.